August 2006

To my brothers and sisters in Christ:

     " Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.  You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak.  therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says, 'Let Jesus be crucified!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except the by the Holy Spirit.  Now there are variety of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.  to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good...For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."  1 Corinthians 12:1-7, 12-13
     So, what do you think of the apostle Paul, the writer of these words?  Some people think Paul is the greatest hero of the gospel, after Jesus.  Others are put off by some of the things he wrote.  Even his own contemporaries gave him mixed reviews.  The New Testament chronicles some of the struggles Paul experiences with the apostles in Jerusalem when they disagreed over the direction the emerging church should take.
     But throughout his own difficulties, Paul reminds the Corinthians that despite the seemingly insurmountable differences, it is the same God who has inspired even those who oppose one another on "how it should be done."  Paul realizes that those with whom he disagrees are led by the Holy Spirit.  And at the same time he reminds them to remember that it is the same Spirit who leads him.
     Isn't that amazing!?
     It's vacation season -- summer  traveling frequently takes us to the homes of relatives.  Yet, unfortunately, many families are not complete.  Ancient disagreements and new misunderstandings too often estrange parents and children, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins.
     Paul's words make it clear that we are incomplete without every member of the body.  Each is necessary for the common good.  Even when we disagree and misunderstand one another.
     I urge you to spend the upcoming days thinking and praying for your family.  If there is a relationship that needs to be restored, pray for God's guidance in taking a first step toward the rebuilding of the body.  Sometimes it takes several first steps.  Sometimes it takes seventy times seven.
     Brothers and sisters, God has blessed us with the family we call "Lincoln Chapel."  It is the United Methodist tradition that pastors are appointed to lead our church families in Sacrament, Word, Order and Service for one year at a time.  It is my joy to be appointed to be a part of the Lincoln Chapel family for another year.
     I consider it an honor and a great responsibility to proclaim to you:  "Jesus is Lord!"
     Our church family is no different than the fledgling churches of Paul's time and no different than our "home" families.  Unfortunately we also experience disagreements, misunderstandings, and damaged relationships.
But we are called to be one body in Christ, to understand that without each member we are incomplete.  We must work, and sometimes work hard, to keep in the forefront that it is the same Holy Spirit who leads each one.
     It is with this faith I confess to you that I realize that I have not always met the expectations each of you has for me.  If any of our family feel that I have wronged him or her, please know that I am truly grieved by this.  Our body is incomplete without you.
     If you feel that another in the church family has caused you to become separated from the body, I ask that you take this opportunity to seek God's restoration of that relationship.  God will guide you in the first steps.  Read Matthew 18:15-22.  Our body is incomplete without you.
     Similarly, if you are approached by a member who seeks reconciliation with you, have faith that it is the Holy spirit who is leading the way.  Sometimes we are hesitant to forgive if we are not met in the way we believe is the right way. Be assured, "there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them."  Our body is incomplete without the one who asks to be restored to you.
     Let us begin this new church year together, proclaiming to our community not our differences, but that "Jesus is Lord!"; that we have been forgiven by Him; and that we are one body, accepting all the gifts, services and actions offered for the common good.

Serving with you,

Pastor Jon West